12 Books For Children That Teach About Caring For The Environment

I've noticed environmentalism is portrated as a political subject. Books on the topic are quite academic. I say bring the discussion home. We have a colourful collection of children's books for my son but few are about teaching him how to be a 'Khalifa' (guardian of earth). 

Here's a collection of books from around the world I'm adding to his library and just in time for Eid, they make excellent enriching gifts.

1. '10 Things I Can Do to Help My World', by Melanie Walsh.

2. 'Allah Made Everything', by Zain Bhika. A sing-along to Zain's lovely Nasheed lyrics, this rhymes and is beautifully illustrated, making great talking points for your children.

3. 'Emily Green's Garden', by Penny H. Harrison. A sweet story about bringing life indoors from a little plant.

4. 'Islam and the Environment', teaching resource on ISSUU (brilliant online workbook and presentation).

5. 'We Planted A Tree', by Diane Muldrow. Quirky illustrations and diverse imagery, I love the togetherness this poetic book embodies of two families growing a tree in different parts of the world.

6. 'Grandpa's Garden' by Stella Fry. Follow along the seasons in this garden, patiently growing vegetables from seed and spending time with grandad.

7. 'The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story about Recycling', by Alison Inches.

8. 'Seeds of Change': Wangari's Gift to the World, by Jen Cullerton Johnson. This picture biography describes Wangari Maathai's amazing life in Kenya, growing trees, working for women's rights and the environment. 

9. 'Don't Let Them Disappear', by Chelsea Clinton'. Exquisitely illustrated, explaining facts and humility towards endangered species around the world.

10. 'A Picnic of Poems in Allah's Green Garden', by Dawud Wharnsby. Vividly engaging, this collection of poems covers so many topics about eco-systems, family, protecting nature and being healthy.

Read + Interview With Dawud Wharnsby - Living in Pakistan

11. 'The Children Who Loved Books', by Peter Carnavas. One of my favourite as it resonates with our household - the life of children without TV, iPads, phones and video games. Books = love.

12. 'Last Tree in the City', by Peter Carnavas. A lesson of nature's beauty in every town, I like that this books has fewer words, allowing readers to explore the metaphors of deforestation.